The England Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team rivalry is relatively young but packed with drama. Afghanistan gained full ICC membership in 2018, and their first official clash with England came in the 2015 ODI World Cup. Since then, matches have been limited but memorable, especially Afghanistan’s stunning upset in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
England has dominated most encounters, but Afghanistan has shown rapid growth, producing shocks in white-ball cricket. No Test matches have been played between them yet. Key highlights include high-scoring ODIs and competitive T20s. Stars like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi for Afghanistan, and Joe Root, Jofra Archer for England add excitement. It’s a rising rivalry full of surprises and respect.
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England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Overall Head-to-Head Record
The head-to-head between England and Afghanistan remains one-sided overall, but Afghanistan has pulled off big wins in limited-overs formats. No Tests have been played. In ODIs, they have met 4 times. England won 2, Afghanistan won 2 (including a famous upset).
In T20Is, England leads with 3 wins to Afghanistan’s 0 in 3 matches, mostly from World Cups.
This record shows England’s experience edge, but Afghanistan’s progress makes every game competitive. Upsets prove anything can happen.
Here is a clean summary table:
| Format | Matches Played | England Wins | Afghanistan Wins | No Result/Ties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| T20I | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Overall | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
(Note: Stats reflect matches up to early 2026; Afghanistan’s wins often in high-pressure ICC events.)
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Head-to-Head Timeline
The timeline is short but eventful. It started in March 2015 at the ODI World Cup in Sydney, where England won by 9 wickets (DLS method) after Afghanistan scored 111/7.
Next came a T20I in March 2016 World T20 in Delhi — England won by 15 runs.
In June 2019 ODI World Cup at Manchester, England crushed Afghanistan by 150 runs with Eoin Morgan’s explosive 148.
The biggest shock arrived in October 2023 ODI World Cup in Delhi — Afghanistan stunned defending champions England by 69 runs, posting 284 and bowling them out for 215.
In February 2025, they met in the ICC Champions Trophy at Lahore — Afghanistan won by 8 runs in a thriller, posting 325/7 and defending it tightly.
No Tests yet, but future bilateral series could happen. The rivalry has grown from one-sided to full of upsets.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Latest Match Review: Eng vs Afg Champions Trophy (2025)
The latest clash was the 8th Match, Group B of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 26, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Afghanistan won by 8 runs, knocking England out of the tournament.
Afghanistan batted first after winning the toss and posted a strong 325/7 in 50 overs. Ibrahim Zadran starred with a tournament-high 177. England chased bravely but fell short at 317 all out in 49.5 overs. Joe Root made 120, but regular wickets hurt them.
It was a tense, high-quality game with big batting and tight bowling in the death. Afghanistan’s win was historic, showing their white-ball strength.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Latest Match Review: Eng vs Afg Champions Trophy (2025) Batting Scorecard
Afghanistan Batting Scorecard (325/7 in 50 overs)
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | b Jofra Archer | 6 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | c Archer b Livingstone | 177 | 146 | 12 | 6 | 121.23 |
| Sediqullah Atal | (various, early wicket) | ~15 | – | – | – | – |
| Rahmat Shah | (various) | ~37 | – | – | – | – |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) | (various) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | (cameo) | 41 | – | – | – | – |
| Mohammad Nabi | c Root b Livingstone | ~20+ | – | – | – | – |
| Others (lower order) | (various, not out contributions) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Extras | (b 4, lb 3, w 7, nb ?) | 11-12 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 325/7 (50 overs) | RR 6.50 |
Zadran anchored with a patient yet aggressive century (reached in 106 balls), building key partnerships. Late cameos pushed the total high on a good batting pitch.
England Batting Scorecard (317 all out in 49.5 overs)
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Salt / opener | (various early) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Jos Buttler (c & wk) | c Rahmat Shah b Azmatullah Omarzai | 38 | 42 | – | – | ~90 |
| Joe Root | c Gurbaz b Azmatullah Omarzai | 120 | 111 | 11 | 1 | ~108 |
| Harry Brook | (various) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Liam Livingstone | (various) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Jofra Archer | c Nabi b Fazalhaq Farooqi | 14 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 175.00 |
| Adil Rashid | c Ibrahim Zadran b Azmatullah Omarzai | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 |
| Mark Wood | not out / last man | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Others (middle/lower) | (regular wickets fell) | – | – | – | – | – |
| Extras | (b 4, lb 3, w 5) | 12 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 317/10 (49.5 overs) | RR 6.36 |
Root’s composed ton kept England in the hunt until the 40s, but collapses in the middle and death overs cost them. They needed big hits late but couldn’t clear the ropes consistently.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Latest Match Review: Eng vs Afg Champions Trophy (2025) Bowling Scorecard
England Bowling (vs Afghanistan 325/7)
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jofra Archer | ~10 | 0 | 64 | 3 | ~6.40 |
| Liam Livingstone | ~few | 0 | 28 | 2 | – |
| Others (Wood, Rashid, etc.) | Varied | – | High | Scattered | High |
Archer struck early and took key wickets, but spinners and pace leaked in the middle overs on a flat track.
Afghanistan Bowling (vs England 317)
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 9.5 | 0 | 58 | 5 | 5.90 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 10 | 0 | ~62 | 1 | ~6.20 |
| Mohammad Nabi | ~10 | 0 | 57 | 2 | ~5.70 |
| Others (Rashid Khan if played, etc.) | Varied | – | – | Key wickets | – |
Azmatullah Omarzai was the star with a five-wicket haul, mixing pace and variations to dismantle England’s chase in the crucial phases. Nabi added control in the middle.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Summary
Afghanistan chose to bat and built steadily. Ibrahim Zadran anchored with 177 off many balls, supported by partnerships. They reached 325/7 despite Jofra Archer’s early strikes.
England started well but lost top order quickly. Joe Root’s classy 120 kept hopes alive until the 46th over. Middle-order collapses followed, and they ended 317 all out with one ball left.
Afghanistan held nerves in the final overs. Key bowlers like Fazalhaq Farooqi and others sealed it. A thrilling 8-run victory for Afghanistan.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Highlights
Highlights included Ibrahim Zadran’s epic 177 — the highest in the tournament — full of classy strokes and big hits.
Joe Root replied with a composed 120, showing fight.
The death overs were dramatic — Afghanistan defended tightly, taking wickets under pressure. England needed big hits but lost momentum.
Crowd energy was high in Lahore. It was a classic white-ball thriller with momentum swings.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Top Performers – Eng vs Afg Match
Ibrahim Zadran earned Player of the Match for his match-winning 177. His knock set the platform.
Joe Root shone for England with 120 — brave under scoreboard pressure.
In bowling, Jofra Archer took early wickets for England. Afghanistan’s pacers like Farooqi and Azmatullah Omarzai controlled the end.
These standouts made the game special.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Batting Performances
Afghanistan’s batting was solid. Zadran’s 177 dominated, with contributions from others pushing past 300.
England showed intent. Root’s 120 anchored, but top-order failures hurt. Middle order added quick runs but couldn’t finish.
Both sides batted well on a good pitch — high totals and aggressive play defined it.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Bowling Performances
Bowling was key in the chase. Afghanistan mixed pace and spin effectively in death overs, taking crucial wickets.
England struck early with Archer but leaked runs later. Discipline in powerplay and death decided the outcome.
Afghanistan edged the bowling battle.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Last 5 Matches
They have played only a few times, but recent ones are competitive.
- Feb 2025 Champions Trophy (Lahore): Afghanistan won by 8 runs.
- Oct 2023 ODI World Cup (Delhi): Afghanistan won by 69 runs.
- Jun 2019 ODI World Cup (Manchester): England won by 150 runs.
- Mar 2016 T20 World Cup (Delhi): England won by 15 runs.
- Mar 2015 ODI World Cup (Sydney): England won by 9 wickets (DLS).
Afghanistan won 2 of the last 5, showing improvement.
Here is a quick table:
| Match | Date/Year | Format | Result | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champions Trophy | Feb 2025 | ODI | Afghanistan won by 8 runs | Thriller in Lahore |
| ODI World Cup | Oct 2023 | ODI | Afghanistan won by 69 runs | Famous upset |
| ODI World Cup | Jun 2019 | ODI | England won by 150 runs | Morgan’s 148 |
| T20 World Cup | Mar 2016 | T20I | England won by 15 runs | Close contest |
| ODI World Cup | Mar 2015 | ODI | England won by 9 wkts | DLS method |
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Venue-Wise Record: Eng vs Afg
Venues vary by ICC events. In neutral venues like World Cups or Champions Trophy (Australia, England, India, Pakistan), results split — Afghanistan wins recent ones in Asia.
No home/away bilateral yet. Neutral pitches often favor Afghanistan’s spin in subcontinent conditions.
Overall, competitive in ICC tournaments.
Simple breakdown:
| Venue Type | England Wins Edge | Afghanistan Wins Edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral (ICC events) | Earlier dominance | Recent upsets | Asia favors spin |
| In England/Australia | England strong | Rare | Limited matches |
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Top Batting Performers in Eng vs Afg Rivalry
Ibrahim Zadran stands out with big scores like 177 in 2025 and contributions in 2023.
Joe Root consistent for England — centuries and fifties.
Eoin Morgan had explosive 148 in 2019.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and others add firepower for Afghanistan.
These batters create memorable innings.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Top Bowling Performers in Eng vs Afg Matches
Rashid Khan troubles England with spin in T20s.
Fazalhaq Farooqi took key wickets in recent wins.
Jofra Archer strikes early for England.
Adil Rashid controls middle overs.
Bowlers decide tight games.
England Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team FAQs
Have they played Tests?
No, zero Test matches.
ODI record?
4 matches, England 2 wins, Afghanistan 2 wins.
T20I record?
England won all 3.
Biggest upset?
Afghanistan’s 69-run win in 2023 World Cup.
Latest result?
Afghanistan won by 8 runs in 2025 Champions Trophy.
Conclusion
The England vs Afghanistan rivalry is short but growing fast. From England’s early dominance in 2015-2019 to Afghanistan’s shock wins in 2023 and 2025, it shows Afghanistan’s rise in white-ball cricket.
No Tests yet, but limited-overs clashes deliver thrills, upsets, and high scores. Players from both sides push boundaries — spin magic, big hitting, and tight finishes.
This rivalry highlights cricket’s global growth. As Afghanistan strengthens, future matches promise more excitement. It’s a story of underdog spirit meeting established power — always worth watching.
